A New Old Kidd in Town? Looks Like, Says ESPN.

Mavs owner Mark Cuban has, in recent days, vehemently poo-poo'd the idea of bringing Jason Kidd back to Dallas from the New Jersey Nets. But former Dallas Morning News'er Marc Stein, now at ESPN, brings word that the deal's back on -- and damned near done. Wrote Stein moments ago: "Sources told ESPN.com that talks between the Mavericks and Nets, which had seemingly stalled, grew serious after the teams played Sunday night in New Jersey and have moved them to the brink of completing the NBA's third blockbuster deal of the month." As for who Dallas would be shipping to Jersey, Stein writes:

The proposed swap -- salvaged from talks of a three-way trade with Portland that developed and fizzled quickly two weeks ago -- would require Dallas to send 24-year-old point guard Devin Harris, veteran swingman Jerry Stackhouse, the expiring contracts of center DeSegana Diop and swingman Devean George and another player such as guard Maurice Ager to New Jersey for Kidd and possibly forward Malik Allen or veteran guard Darrell Armstrong.

It's believed that Dallas would also send New Jersey cash ($3 million is the league maximum) and one or two future first-round draft choices. One source told ESPN.com that the Mavericks and Nets were also discussing a separate trade that would send Antoine Wright to Dallas for a future second-round pick.